Day 7 (Cork and Ring of Kerry)

We left Tramore in the morning and began our journey southwest toward Cork and County Kerry, following the scenic southern coast of Ireland. As we drove, the landscape gradually shifted into rolling hills and coastal flats, dotted with sheep farms (Slides 2–3) and small-scale dairy operations (Slides 4–6). It was a reminder of how deeply traditional agriculture is woven into Irish rural life.

We arrived in Cork mid-morning, found a parking spot (again, €4 per hour), and made our way to attend Mass at the Church of Sts. Peter & Paul (Slides 7–12). This Gothic Revival Catholic church, designed by E.W. Pugin and completed in 1866, is a gem in the heart of the city. Inside, we admired its ornate architecture, brilliant stained glass, and polished marble details—a quiet and reverent start to our day. Outside, Cork had a relaxed Sunday atmosphere (Slide 13), with people enjoying cafés and the slow rhythm of the weekend. We really enjoyed our time there.

For lunch, we found a doner kebab stand and opted for lamb—Irish, of course (Slide 14). With occasional rain showers along the way (Slide 15), we continued westward to Kenmare.

Our next stop was the Kenmare Stone Circle, a tranquil and ancient site nestled in a lush green glade (Slides 16–21). Though smaller than some of Ireland’s other stone circles, it was deeply peaceful and contemplative. The central burial stone and upright stones still pose mysteries that date back thousands of years.

From there, we began our scenic drive around the legendary Ring of Kerry. We passed rugged hillsides dotted with sheep (Slide 22), colorful wildflowers (Slide 23), and breathtaking views of Kenmare Bay (Slide 24). As we wound our way westward, the road narrowed dramatically (Slides 25–38), often down to a single lane—offering a thrilling, close-up view of Ireland’s wild Atlantic landscapes.

We paused to hike to the Cliffs of Kerry, a lesser-known but spectacular viewpoint along the peninsula’s western edge. Along the way, we passed replica beehive huts—structures used by early Christian monks (Slide 39)—and made our way up a steep hillside trail to towering sea cliffs (Slides 40–56). From the top, we were rewarded with panoramic views of the Atlantic, waves crashing far below with raw, mesmerizing power.

After the cliffside walk, we passed through the quaint fishing village of Portmagee (Slide 57), and began the inland leg of our journey. We stopped outside Mr. Kebab in Milltown for a quick bite (Slides 58–59) before hitting the road again—briefly stuck behind a tractor (Slide 60), a classic rural Ireland moment.

As evening approached, google maps had us take a cross-country route to the Dingle Peninsula, aiming for our lodging in Castlegregory. The road over the mountain pass was dramatic (Slides 61–77), winding steeply with hairpin turns and no guardrails—a challenge in our full-size rental car, but the views of valleys and peaks made it more than worth it.

Finally, we arrived at our Bed and Breakfast in Castlegregory (Slide 78), just across from the beach. The room was cozy and inviting (Slides 79–83), and the view over Dingle Bay was peaceful and calm (Slides 84–85). Our host, Mary, welcomed us warmly, offering fresh coffee-flavored cake and tea-making facilities—a lovely touch after a long and memorable day of travel. We settled in for the night, thankful for the beauty we’d witnessed and looking forward to the next chapter of our Irish journey.